Sturgeon: Universal credit roll-out is morally repugnant

Thousands of people have had to wait longer than they should have for payments.

Nicola Sturgeon: The First Minister called for all welfare powers to be devolved.
PA

The UK Government's decision to roll-out universal credit despite problems with the system is "morally repugnant," the First Minister has said.

Nicola Sturgeon made the comments after it emerged nine Scottish councils have set aside almost £9m to deal with issues relating to the new benefit.

Universal credit merges six separate benefits into one but thousands in trial areas have had to wait longer than the standard six weeks for payment, a period already criticised as too long by campaigners.

The House of Commons voted by a margin of 299 to zero to stop the nationwide roll-out but the motion was non-binding and the UK Government intends to continue with the expansion.

The First Minister said the saga shows "the sooner we get all of welfare powers" devolved to Holyrood "the better."

Highlands and Islands SNP MSP Maree Todd raised the matter at Holyrood on Thursday and said many people are being left in "dire financial straits" during the benefit's trial in Inverness.

Sturgeon told MSPs: "The fact that the UK Government is refusing to pause the implementation of universal credit, knowing that they are pushing already vulnerable people into debt, into rent arrears, making it difficult for parents to put food on the table to feed their children, is not just morally unacceptable it is morally repugnant.

"I think every Conservative should be deeply ashamed of this."

She added: "The fact of the matter is universal credit is not working, that is being demonstrated in the pilot areas.

"So we need to see a pause to universal credit and we need to see that happen now before any other person has to suffer the indignities and the anxieties so many have already suffered."

Address Why do we need this?Type your full postcode and select your addressThis field is required.It doesn't look like you've entered a valid postcode.Can't find your address? Confirm the details you've given us are correct by clicking here

Now that you've joined STV, we'll be able to send you email updates about STV's programmes and services. If you don't want them, please tick this box.

LocationPlease tick this box to confirm that you are a resident of the UK, Channel Islands or Isle of Man.This field is required.

Parental ConsentPlease tick this box to confirm that you have received consent from a parent or guardian in order to complete this form and submit your vote.This field is required.

That's you. All that's left is to click the 'Submit Vote' button below. By doing so, you confirm that you and your parent or guardian have read and accept our Voting Terms of Use, Privacy Policy and Cookie policy, and that the details you have entered are correct. We'll look after them as carefully as if they were our own.